Sermonettes 55
In Imitation of George Müller
The story of George Müller's life is one of the most remarkable episodes in the history of the Christian Church. He set out to demonstrate that, as he put it, "there is reality in the things of God". In the early 1830s he embarked on an extraordinary adventure. Disturbed by the faithlessness of his contemporaries, he longed to have something to point to "as a visible proof that our God and Father is the same faithful God as ever He was". Praying in every penny of the costs, he supervised the building of five large orphanages-still standing on Ashley Downs, Bristol - housing thousands of children. He was a man with a remarkable relationship with, and faith in God. He gave the following insights on how our faith may be strengthened?
First. The careful reading of the Word of God, combined with meditation on it. Through reading, the believer becomes more and more acquainted with the nature and character of God, and thus sees more and more, besides His holiness and justice, what a kind, loving, gracious, merciful, mighty, wise, and faithful Being He is. And the consideration of this, if God has become known to us through prayer and meditation on His own Word, will lead us, in general at least, with a measure of confidence to rely upon HIM.
Second. As with reference to the growth of every grace of the Spirit it is of the utmost importance that we seek to maintain an upright heart and a good conscience, and therefore do not knowingly and habitually indulge in those things which are contrary to the mind of God. If I am continually grieving Him, and seek to detract from the glory and honour of Him in whom I profess to trust, upon whom I profess to depend?
Third. If we desire our faith to be strengthened we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried, and therefore, through the trial, be strengthened.
Four. We need to let God work for us, when the hour of the trial of our faith comes, and do not work a deliverance of our own.
This page was created on 18 January 2002
Last updated on 18 January 2002
Reproduced with Thanks